Shopping for shoes has never been easier; the internet has made it possible to do it in minutes. Physically inspecting the shoes and trying them on could offer a better fit and limit the hassle of returns, but shopping for shoes online does offer the inarguable benefit of convenience. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete an order.
To help you decide where to shop, here are ten of the best online shoe stores you can visit for your next shoe purchase.
The Best Online Store
Shoes.com
Let’s kick things off with an aptly named website—Shoes.com. As a well-stocked online shoe retailer, they don’t disappoint. They have an extensive inventory of shoes for men and women. Offering shoes for a variety of activities, they have a good selection for each category of footwear, from sneakers for the office to high heels.
Their category menu is comprehensive, and the search filter feature refines results according to the specific characteristics of the shoes. You can also search by brand name or by category type. Their search tool is precise, quickly presenting shoe options based on your specific search.
Shoes.com calculates shipping costs depending on the quantity of your purchase. They enforce a minimum order for free shipping. Returns are easy; you typically have 60 days to return regularly priced items for a refund at no cost to you.
Foot Locker
Foot Locker is the most popular online store that specializes in athletic shoes. They carry a holistic inventory of sports shoes for all types of activities; if you play it, they probably have a shoe for it. From soccer to basketball shoes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, an experienced amateur, or an elite professional, Foot Locker will have a pair suitable for your level.
As you browse their site, you’ll find the shoes organized by gender, then further broken down by sport, brand, and specific shoe features. They have a sale section on the website for those looking to save a few bucks.
If you reach their minimum purchase order, you are eligible to free shipping. Some items do ship for free, and this is indicated on the product page. You can pay for expedited shipping, which comes with a money-back guarantee. If your order doesn’t arrive within the time frame allotted, Foot Locker reimburses your shipping fee. There is a 90-day return policy, so if you’re not fully satisfied, return them for a refund.
Zappos
Much like how “dog” became “doggo,” Zappos is a cute version of the word “zapatos” – the Spanish word for shoes. As an online retailer of shoes, Zappos does a few things better than its competition; shipping is free, and if you are a VIP member, you are entitled to free expedited shipping.
They stock a wide assortment of the most well-known brands and carry shoes in every style for everyone. They have athletic shoes, high heels, boots, orthotics, and everything in between. With their search bar and precise categories, you’ll have no trouble finding a specific shoe for your particular purpose.
Zappos offers 24/7 support via a toll-free number, or you can communicate via live chat or email. This big player in the online shoe game provides free returns up to one year after purchase for all customers.
Shoe Carnival
Shoe Carnival is a great online retailer for shoes. They carry multiple brands in many categories. You’ll be able to find shoes for men, women, and kids in all different styles with their easy-to-use menu. Hover over the various categories, and select the style for you or use their search bar for specific features. Anything from water shoes to work boots.
They offer free standard shipping for orders over $75. They provide free shipping for all purchases for their Shoe Perk Gold Members. You can return purchased shoes at any of their brick-and-mortar stores for free. If you ship them, a $6 fee is deducted from your refund. You need to contact them for returns within 60 days from the date of purchase.
Designer Shoe Warehouse
As their name implies, Designer Shoe Warehouse offers top-brand designer shoes at warehouse prices. That is to say – half price. It’s the perfect place to find that high-end pair at a low price. They offer side by side comparison of the cost of the same shoe at other stores. Aside from the inventory of their “regular” price half-priced shoes, they have a sale section where they offer clearance items at even deeper discounts.
Shipping is free for orders that reach $35. If you are a DSW VIP member, shipping is always free. The return window is 60 days, but if you’re a DSW VIP ELITE, then it extends to a full year. You can return your purchase to a physical store for free. A small fee is applied if shipping your return unless you’re a DSW VIP GOLD or ELITE member. Exchanges are free for non-members and members alike.
Haute Look
Haute Look is a Nordstrom company offering shoes at discounted prices for its members. Create an account with them to become a member to get access to exclusive deals found nowhere else. Sometimes discounts can be as significant as 70% off. They show you how much you’re saving by shopping with them by displaying the price of the same shoe from other stores.
Haute Look carries popular brands for men and women at relatively low prices. Shipping is free if your orders reach $100. If you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase, they have a 45-day return window. Items that are final sale or non-returnable, noted on the product page, will not be accepted.
Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear is an online shoe store that carries popular brands of shoes, from the casual Chukka boots to the formal Florsheims. They usually have current discount offers just for shopping with them. Their catalog is well-categorized, and you won’t have trouble looking for men’s, women’s, or kids’ shoes. You can then further refine your search with sizes, brands, and colors.
Shipping is free for orders that reach $75. If you’re a rewards member, shipping is free. They offer expedited shipping at an additional cost or can arrange for an in-store pick-up. They will accept returns for up to 60 days. If you’re a Famously You Rewards SUPERSTAR member, the return period is extended for an additional 30 days. They will process refunds online, but for an exchange, you will need to visit one of their brick-and-mortar locations.
Overstock.com
Overstock is an online retailer for a variety of items. They do not specialize in shoes, but they do have a thorough collection of great shoes at affordable prices. You can find shoes using their search bar, or use their menu to reach the clothing & shoe pages. The sidebar has a category filter to refine your search further. You can choose the style, size, width, brand, and color of the shoe you’re trying to find.
They ship free for purchases over $45, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. You must initiate returns within 30 days of delivery to be eligible for a full refund, including shipping costs. Returns initiated after this window are still available for a partial refund subjected by Overstock.
Zulily
Zulily is a members-only online shopping website offering a great selection of shoes for women, men, and kids. You can quickly shop using their category menu or their search bar. Zulily is known to offer significant discounts for their products. You may have to keep checking for discounts on shoes since they are not exclusively a footwear website. Shipping is not free, but the deep discounts provide extra room in your budget for shipping.
Zulily offers easy returns; file a request with them within 30 days of purchase, and they’ll send you a pre-paid shipping label for your return.
Amazon.com
Amazon.com is currently the world’s largest online retailer. They likely sell anything you can think of, and it comes as no surprise that they are a top online shoe retailer.
Amazon is an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for a shoe that isn’t the latest model. If the official website of the brand no longer lists a shoe for sale, Amazon might still have a few pairs in stock. Basically anything from running shoes to western boots. You can usually get free shipping when ordering on Amazon for purchases over $25. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you are eligible for free same-day delivery. The item is pre-identified as part of the FREE Same-Day Delivery on the product page, and you must check out within the cut-off period for FREE Same-Day Delivery.
Amazon accepts returns up to 30 days. If the item is Certified Refurbished, Amazon will accept returns up to 90 days from the delivery of the product.